PrintDecember 8, 2007
SecDef: Iran still a threat
At a regional security meeting in Bahrain today, Defense Secretary Gates made it clear that, despite NIE key findings, Iran still poses a threat.
"Everywhere you turn, it is the policy of Iran to foment instability and chaos, no matter the strategic value or the cost in the blood of innocents," Gates said.
Gates warned about 200 delegates from 23 nations attending the annual regional security conference about "cherry-picking" the NIE's findings rather than accepting "the full story" it gives.
"The report expresses with greater confidence than ever that Iran did have a nuclear weapons program - developed secretly, kept hidden for years, and in violation of its international obligations."
